Key holder



Apr 1931- B. E. MOULTON KEY HOLDER Filed Oct. 25, 1929 v Inventor fllyanlEl loaliou fltlornc Patented Apr. 14, 1931 UNITED STATES BRYANT E. IOULTOZN, OI BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS KEY HOLDER Application filed October 25, 1929. Serial No. 402,472. g

This invention relates to key outfits in which personal key groups are provided in an assembly on a basis of addition or substitution and which is at once convenient and in- 3 dividual.

In adds a new field of service to lock and key makers.

As illustrative of my invention I have shown in the accompanying drawing an assembly on a basis of eflicient key service.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view on the line l1 of Fig. 2 showing a pocket d'e vice embodying my invention.

Fig. 2 is a top edge view.

Fig. 3 a bottom or back edge view.

Fig. 4: a side view, and

Fig. 5 a somewhat diagrammatic view of the key production basis.

I have indicated at 1 and 2 a pair of spaced side plates, and at 3 a central divisional plate. These plates are held together in the spaced relation shown by a pair of transverse studs 4 which may be simple rivets piercing said plates adjacent either end thereof and "which constitute pivots for keys 5 which are formed for quick detachable connection therewith for purposes of removal and replacement and tor normal folding action thereabout as pivot axis in the ordinary use of the device.

As here shown, I have provided for mounting two keys 5 on each pivot pin 4, one on either side of the division plate 3, with the key pair on one pivot opposing the key pair on the other pivot (Fig. 2)

The plates 1 .and 2 have the general form and appearance of a pocket or clasp knife and in the ordinary use of the device, the keys fold into and out of the case after the manner 7 of the usual knife blade, being backed by wholly within theconfines of the side plates 1 and 12 when foldedinto the case so as to be covered and protected thereby. To this end, the head 7 of each key is provided with a rearwardly directed slot 8 having a jog 9 therein in advance of the usual key-ring hole 10 and the head itself is cut away adjacent such hole 10 as indicated diagrammatically by the dotted lines '11 in Fig. 5.

This construction not only provides a hook adapted to be lodged over one of the pins 4 but effects such a reduction'inthe size of the key head itself as materially to reduce its weight and bulk so that it will lie substantially wholly within the confines of the side walls land 2 whenjfolded down into the position shownin Fig. 1.This is a feature of considerable advantage in that itnot only actually reduces the bulk of the keys them selves but avoids any projecting edges which mighttear the pocket or catch on other objects carried in the pocket. a "In use, the case proper afl'ords suflicient leverage and hand hold for manipulating the key in the look when the key has been projected into the position of Fig. 1 (right hand end), the arrangement and relation of the slot 8 and particularly the jog 9 thereof being such as to prevent acciclental disengagement of thekey from its pin 4 in its opening and closing pivotal travel.

In purposely removing a key, however, the selected key is first swung to the closed position shown at the left handend of Fig. 1 and isthenengaged and forced axially outwardly awayfrom its pin 4. In this action, the shoulder 12 at the head end of the keyshank affords a convenient surface for the application of en'dwise sli'dingforce. The hook portion of the key clears itself readily from the pin when the key is slid *endwise away from the pin and asreadily 'reengages over the pin when'thekey, or a substitute key, is replaced. When all keys are closed, they lie well within the planes of the side plates 1 and 2 as shown in Fig. 4 and the absence of any projecting edges, particularly at the key heads, avoids entanglement of the keys in the cloth of the pocket or in other objects carried in the pocket as well as materially reducing the weight and bulk of the device as a key case. Various modifications in the construction and operation of my device may obviously be resorted to if within the spirit and scope of my invention without departing from the limits of the'appended claims.

WVhat I therefore claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is g I 1. In comb'natio-n, a key holder comprising a case inclusive of a pair of spaced side walls and a cross pivot adjacent to'the ends thereof, and a key inclusive of a shank and a head having a slot to receive said crosspin to detachably pivotally connect the key with the case for swinging movement between a closed position between the side Walls, of saidcase and an open-position projecting beyond the end of the. case, aback spring disposed between said side walls and having a free end underlying said cross pivot for cooperation with opposite edges of the head of the key to-hold the same in closed and open positions, respectively, and a shoulder on said key for cooperation with the end of said back spring to prevent disengagement of the key from the cross pin when the key is in an open position, said slot opening through the edge of the head which is disposed adjacent to theback spring when the key is in a closed position and extending diagonally inward from said edge away from the shank and thence diagonally outward away from the shank toward said edge and terminatingin a cross pin receiving-bearing pocket, the edges of said slot thus forming oppositely disposed diagonally extending shoulders leading to said pocket whereby the key is adapted to be engaged with and disengaged from said cross pin solely by pressure exerted longitudinally thereof when'the same is disposed in a closed or substantially closed position. i i, i,

2. In combination, a key holder comprising-a case inclusive of a pair oi spaced side walls and a cross pivotiadj acent to the ends thereof, and a key inclusive of a" shank and a head having a slot to receivesaid cross pin to detachably pivotally connect'the key with the case for swinging movement between a closed position between the side walls of said case and an open position projecting beyond theend of the case, a back spring disposed between said side walls and having a free end underlying said cross pivot for cooperation with" oppositeedgesof the head of the key tohold the same in closed and open positions, respectively, andva shoulder on. said key for. cooperation with theend of said back spring to prevent disengagement of the key from the cross ,pin when the key is in an open position, said slot opening through the edge of the head which is disposed adjacent to the back spring when the key is in a closed position and extending di agonally inward from sa d edge away from the key is in a closed position to be engaged for exerting pressure longitudinally of the key.

3. I11 combination, a key holder comprisinga case inclusive of a pair of spaced side walls and a cross pivot adjacent to the ends thereof, and a key inclusive of a shank and a head having a slot to receive said cross pin to detachably'pivotally connect the key with thecase for swinging movement between a closed position between the side walls of said case and an open position projecting beyond the end of, the case, said slot opening diagonally inward from said edge away from the shank and thence diagonally outj ,90- through one edge of the head and extending ward away from theshank toward said edge and terminating in across pin receiving bearing pocket, whereby the key is adapted to be engaged with'and, disengaged from said crosspin solely by tudinally of the key.

41 In combinatlon, a key holder comprispressure exerted longiing a case inclusive ofa pair of spacedside walls and a cross pivot adjacent the ends thereof, a key having a pocket to receive saidvcross pin whereby thefkey is adapted to be pivotally connected with said pin for swinging movement between closed and'open positions relative to said case, and a back spring carried by said case for cooperation with said key to hold the same in closed and open positions, said key further having a shaped portion adjacent'to said pocket and disposed oppositely to the pocket bottom for,

4 i v slot leading-to said pocket defining a wedge 

